Results for Tonga

Tonga is finalizing its National Deployment and Vaccination Plans to access CoViD-19 vaccines from the COVAX Facility, and initial quantities are expected to be announced soon. Health CEO, Dr Siale ‘Akau’ola said COVAX is assessing the readiness of participant countries, who will have to make a contribution if they want vaccination coverage of their population to be increased. Meanwhile, some other Pacific countries have started their vaccination programmes.

Lisala Lavemai (28) of Vaini was awarded the Baton of Honour during a graduation ceremony for Tonga Police Recruit Wing 48 on January 28, at the Police Headquarters.

Tonga's Cabinet on 20 January 2021 approved a zero rate of Consumption Tax for the services of collection and disposal waste by a government approved waste management entity, the Waste Authority Ltd. However, the savings will not be passed onto the public.

Pilima Langi (63) is the woman who died on Thursday, January 28 after the small boat that she was in with 17 others capsized in heavy seas off Foa Island. Tonga Police have opened an investigation into the marine incident.

Mr Joseph Borghese has been appointed Honorary Consul of the Kingdom of Tonga to Cyprus by the Privy Council of King Tupou VI, Tonga's Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed today.

A Ha'apai woman has died today after being rescued with 18 people, who were on board a small local ferry boat that capsized in heavy seas off Foa Island, on Wednesday afternoon. A rescuer said the woman had refused one of his four life jackets so it could be given to a child. There were no life jackets on the boat. Two people remain in hospital.

HM King Tupou VI commissioned the Tonga Navy's VOEA Ngahau Siliva patrol boat at the Masefield Base, Touliki, today.

The European Union has contributed EUR€20 million as part of an agreement signed yesterday, to help health sectors across Pacific Island countries (including Tonga) respond to CoViD-19. “It comes at a time when PICs are preparing for the arrival of the first allocations of COVID-19 vaccines which are expected in the coming months,” said World Health Organization’s Director of Pacific Technical Support Dr Corinne Capuano.

A 23-year-old soldier who was on-duty at the Makeke Quarantine Facility in Vaini was arrested with cannabis on Monday, January 25.